Baron Media Statement, Back on the Air
Jimmy Baron provided me with a copy of his Press Release:
April 26, 2006
It is with sadness that I announce that, retroactive to Wednesday. April 5, 2006, I am officially no longer employed at 99X (WNNX /Atlanta), and that all talks of negotiation with Cumulus Broadcasting have ceased.
In January of this year, Cumulus Radio Head of Programming John Dickey approached me expressing his desire that I stay and renew my contract. I was naturally excited at the idea of continuing what has been an unbelievable ride in Atlanta at 99X.
Through my agent, Glenn Goldstein, I proposed a new deal to simply extend my current employment agreement for a to-be-determined length of time with no pay or bonus increase. I have been very grateful for the terms offered by previous owners Susquehanna Radio, and was happy to continue working at the station under this agreement. However, Mr. Dickey’s initial offer was for a base salary of 55% less than I was currently making -- an offer we felt to be unacceptable in the industry for a 12 ½ year veteran morning drive-time personality in Market #10 (at one of the premiere rock stations in the country). My agent also pointed out that, in fact, I had agreed to a 33% salary cut two and a half years ago when The Morning X ended. Unfortunately, up to the end, the Cumulus offer was of the “take it or leave it” variety -- never moving from their original number. As a result, on April 19th I determined that we had reached an impasse.
Words cannot describe how fortunate and privileged I feel to have been able to spend such a large chunk of my life at such an amazing place. There are very few stations in our industry today that can breed the type of family atmosphere that I’ve enjoyed at 99X. I can’t express how grateful I am to Susquehanna Radio and 99X General Manager Mark Renier for their generosity and for believing in me all these years. Additionally, I feel privileged to have worked with Leslie Fram. She and I have sat next to each other since Day One of the Morning X (and subsequently the Toucher, Jimmy and Leslie Show) and have shared many unbelievable and even historic experiences together. I am also appreciative to Fred Toucher and Gary Wallace who have been instrumental for the success I’ve enjoyed here, as well as Assoc. Producer Todd Phillips and all our great interns.
But most importantly, the 99X listeners. They have given me a gift that 99.9% of the people in radio will never be fortunate enough to experience. I can only show my thanks with the assurance that their kindness has been appreciated and not taken for granted.
In the meantime, I am currently in talks for several exciting opportunities that I hopefully will be able to shed some more light on in the next few days.
Jimmy Baron
Contact:
Kristin Cowart / KC Public Relations
404-233-3993
Jimmy will be filling in for Chris Krok Monday night (May 1, 2006) from 10P-2A on WSB-AM (750).
Updated 4/27/2006 10:13 PM
Corrected and enhanced details of Jimmy's WSB appearance.
